Who going to the sportsman show

[exgunner]

My wife's been there all week wants to go on an African Safari now. Says the hunting section is not very large but if the show gets me to Africa hunting I'll be going

[smallgamer]

There are two ways of looking at it. One, if more people would go, more vendors that we appreciate would show up. Two, if more vendors we appreciate showed up, more people would go.

I go with option two. The show is trying to sell me an over-priced ticket and a rip-off parking spot. I'm the customer, not vice-versa. It's their job to entice me to attend, rather than my job to entice worthwhile vendors to attend.

[outback]

Well we attended the show and had a great day out with my boys, buddy and his wife. Arrived at the Ontario Place parking lot to find it not plowed so ended up parking underground at the Direct Energy Center, $14.00 for the day. No coats to carry or cooler bags with drinks, right on. On the way into the building as we made our way to the ticket booth a fella starts chatting us up and asking some questions about why we come to the show, how long have we been coming, asked my boys what there thought s where? Next thing we know he said to follow him, which we did and he ushered us through the gate and got our hand stamped for exit and re-entry @ no cost. OH YAH!

Upon entry the show was noticeably smaller. That being said we made our way to the hunting hall to begin an aisle by aisle walk to see what was on display. First encounter was a chat with Caltek at the OFAH booth. Always good to see Jay and talk for a bit. Next we saw Adrian J Hare and talked with him for a bit. Hadn't seen Adrian for quite a bit so it was good to have a chat and share a few tales from the field. Walking through the aisles I hear "hey outback", turn for a look and there is Hound at the SCI booth. A little more time chatting and having a few laughs. Met Hound last year and always look forward to at least a few hunting stories.

Ran into Keith Beasley as we walked around and had a quick talk, hadn't seen him since the Little Britian Big Buck day's. He was on his way to do his seminar which we also took in. Afterwards we finally met his brother Paul whom over the years has eluded us. I was wanting to discuss a few things with the Beasley's so we waited as they talked with a few people and did some pictures, signings and such. Had a real nice time talking and having a few laughs. Always enjoy talking with the Beasley's, they take the time to listen to my boy's, they speak to them with words of encouragement and instill confidence in the young upcoming members of the hunting community. The Beasley's are a class act and great ambassadors for our sport. I encourage people to stop in and talk with anyone of these lads.

I let my 2 sons take a walk around for their own sight seeing and shopping while I took in the food plot seminar. While sitting there my boy Liam comes back and he has with him my very good buddy Raz who I had never expected to see at the show. Raz is there with Buck Lake outfitters from Hornepayne Ont. Buck Lake offers some of the finest fly-in fishing and hunting in the north. If ya get a chance to talk with them tell them Outback sent ya. Oh wait that might not be good! Nah kidding ya.

While walking the aisles and chatting various venders and merchants I had a fella approach and ask if he could interview me for The Weather Network. "Sure can" I say's. That was pretty cool, nothing about the weather though. He was wondering and had questions about "the beard". I'm now sure he and the viewers have what I think a different and humorous insight into facial hair. The guy was killing himself laughing during the off camera stories about the growth on my face and situations it has gotten me into.


7:00pm and we finally hit the end of the fishing part of the building. Show being somewhat smaller still took all day to get from one end to the other. My young lad kept saying " oh no do you know these people too", " are you gonna talk for hours again". Now for the 1 hour dash to make a few purchases of some product that we thought would make the day. Didn't buy a whole truck load of gear but some items we thought where decent buys. Finally left the building after we held a couple venders a bit later than closing.

Headed for home and as we are leaving the underground parking Matt my youngest starts with " ribs, ribs, ribs" meaning Montana's on the way home for all you can eat ribs. OH YAH! All the way to Newmarket it's "ribs, ribs, ribs". What a feast, I had 4 racks and Matt being only 12 had 2 racks. The others had steak. Being sufficiently sufficed we continued home arriving just after midnight.

This was truly a great day out with my boy's, my friend Aarne and his wife. Truly great to run into Caltek, Hound, Keith and Kevin Beasley, Adrian, Raz and John from Buck Lake. Hooked up with a few other friends from the area. Met some interesting people and made some what may turn out to be good business contacts. Hoping for the next show to be as fun.

outback

[outback]

Thought all u can eat ribs was only on Wednesday...

All you can eat ribs all day every day promotion on now, has been on now for about a week. When we got there my youngest lad says to the server " we're here for the meat". She asked him what kind of potato he wanted he said "we're here for the meat".

Get out there and get'em while the promo is on. Between me and the kid we had 6 racks.

outback

[topher]

All you can eat ribs all day every day promotion on now, has been on now for about a week. When we got there my youngest lad says to the server " we're here for the meat". She asked him what kind of potato he wanted he said "we're here for the meat".

Get out there and get'em while the promo is on. Between me and the kid we had 6 racks.

outback

Thank for the info.. I'll head there this week...

[mattadam]

Im currently waiting in the line up at the sportsmens show to get a ticket. Pretty excited to check everything out and see the Beasley Brothers seminar at 11.

[outback]

Im currently waiting in the line up at the sportsmens show to get a ticket. Pretty excited to check everything out and see the Beasley Brothers seminar at 11.

Hope you have a good time as we did yesterday. So much negativity but I really believe it's what you can make it. The lad selling the smoked meats and giving samples has some of the finest bacon we have eaten. He's in the fishing area.

outback

[urbansherpa]

I went yesterday and found it to be a total waste of time and money. After paying the $33.(plus $20 gas) just to get through the door, I spent a total of one hour there. It has gone from being a 'SHOW' many years ago to becoming a venue for retailers to flog last years stock (for the most part). I went last year after the snow storm (and the show was empty) and bought a nice Beretta. This year I didn't spend a dime. The hunting area was tiny, and I don't need any more $15. fishing rods, nor the wares of the numerous meat vendors. I must have counted 5-6.

I remember back when I looked forward to going to the Sportsmans SHOW. No more.

(sorry for the rant. Just being honest)

[mattadam]

Hope you have a good time as we did yesterday. So much negativity but I really believe it's what you can make it. The lad selling the smoked meats and giving samples has some of the finest bacon we have eaten. He's in the fishing area.

outback

Thats awesome. Thanks for the heads up, I didn't see him last year so I've been hoping to stock up a bit lol.

[MikePal]

This was truly a great day out with my boy's, my friend Aarne and his wife. Truly great to run into Caltek, Hound, Keith and Kevin Beasley, Adrian, Raz and John from Buck Lake. Hooked up with a few other friends from the area. Met some interesting people and made some what may turn out to be good business contacts. Hoping for the next show to be as fun. outback

I know what your saying Outback, I love going to these shows, most times just enjoy the social time out with the guys. I love to chat with folks at these shows about hunting stuff etc. I don't need anything for hunting, but still end up a buying few goodies with my allowance.

From the sound of it, a lot of guys are hitting the show fairly focused on seeing new stuff and finding a good deal...if that is are they are looking for, it's probably why they don't get much out of them. Like urbansherpa said, he was there less than an hour. How many guys could he have possible talked to in that short a time. I spend close to 15 minutes outside the front door in the rope trailer talking to the guy about rope even before I go in

Never complain about a venue where you can mingle with kindred spirits in something you have a passion with.